Communication and Language
True or false: We must insist on eye contact and teach neurodivergent students to "fix" their social skills.
What is false?
This specific type of "break" is proactive and scheduled before a student reaches a breaking point.
What is a sensory/brain/regulation break?
True or false: Providing "micro-choices" gives students a sense of agency. Examples: Would you like to do the even numbers or the odd numbers? Do you want to use a paper or a whiteboard to show your thinking?
What is true?
Example: Asking the student "I noticed the hallway is hard for you. What do you think would help?"
What is collaborative problem-solving?
Generally used within the neurodiversity community because many neurodivergent people see their identity as intertwined with their neurodivergence. Examples are when people refer to themselves as dyslexic, autistic, ADHDers.
What is identity first language?
This occurs when a teacher stays calm and regulated to help a dysregulated student find their "calm" again.
What is co-regulation?
Informs students explicitly "why we are doing this". They are best when shared in oral and visual format.
What are learning targets?
A playful, slang term used by the neurodivergent community to describe individuals with brain function that differs from the traditional "neurotypical" norm.
What is neurospicy?
When a student shares a long stream of facts about a special interest, as an act of connection, not an interruption.
What is info-dumping?
Examples are hand-flapping, rocking or humming. Instead of seeing these as "distractions" educators can actively allow and normalize these behaviors.
What is stimming?
Changes to what a student is expected to learn or how their performance is measured.
What are modifications?
What is "sharing students' strengths"?
When an educator demonstrates this with a student: sits side-by-side, open posture, private voice, limited words, say it and walk away, low energy/breathing, they are trying to achieve this.
What is influence/re-direct/connect? (the opposite of using power)
The difference between reacting (agitating) and responding (calming) is the length of this.
What is a pause/taking a pause?
These can be "micro-adjustments" made in the moment—like extra processing time—that don't require an IEP.
What are accommodations?
The acronym for this is ANS and it craves routines and predictability, connection and boundaries, plus novelty and choice.
Instead of giving direct commands ("Pick up your pencil"), use these kinds of statements ("I notice your pencil is on the floor"). This reduces the "demand avoidance" trigger and allows the student to notice and problem-solve independently.
What is declarative language?
In addition to orally communicating directions, timeframe, materials, expectations for activity (partner, volume), expectations for finishing early, educators should do this.
What is providing visuals?
This approach allows all students to engage with a core concept at different levels. It ensures everyone can get started without feeling stuck, while giving more advanced learners room to explore complex patterns and extensions.
What is "low-floor, high ceiling" or differentiated instruction ?
An educational framework designed to give all students—regardless of their abilities or learning styles—an equal opportunity to succeed.
What is Universal Design for Learning?